NATO and the African Union pursue dialogue on Libya

On 31 May 2011, the NATO Secretary General, Anders Fogh Rasmussen, and the Chairperson of the African Union Commission, Jean Ping, met to continue discussions on the Libya crisis.

During the meeting, the Secretary General made clear that NATO's Operation Unified Protector was in full compliance with the provisions of United Nations Security Council Resolutions 1970 and 1973 to protect the civilian population against any attack or threat of attack. Mr. Rasmussen also stressed the importance of keeping up dialogue with the African Union, as well as all key international and regional actors, as part of the International Community's effort to come to a political solution to the ongoing crisis. Mr Rasmussen praised the very good practical cooperation with the African Union and renewed NATO’s commitment to this relationship.

Mr Ping previously visited NATO Headquarters on April 5th, when he met the North Atlantic Council.